NFL Week 13: Preview

Modified Dec 02, 2018 11:21 GMT

This week one of the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Los Angeles Chargers get one step closer to the playoffs in the National Sunday Night game for the NFL.

Both of these teams are very similar when it comes to their playing techniques, but a significant loss in the running game for the Chargers could be the difference.

Potential Game Of The Week - Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers come back home to Heinz Field after a tough loss in Denver to the Denver Broncos. One of the biggest questions in this game is the running game.

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John Conner started the season on high, the last few games he has not been the difference maker that he was earlier.

The Steelers need to rely on the run game more to help quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have a chance at making any passing plays work.

With the return of powerhouse defensive lineman Joey Bosa back for the Los Angeles Chargers, it becomes even more critical for the Steelers offensive line to be in full form to stop Bosa and Melvin Ingram.

The drama that surrounds the Steelers is not healthy. First, it was the Le'Veon Bell holdout, now the Ben Rothlesberger- Antonio Brown controversy.

Time is now for the Steelers to show that there aren't any problems and a TJ Watt led defence can stop Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers are coming into this week with a dominant win against the Arizona Cardinals. The tandem of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa were a significant impact in making the Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen have difficulty all game.

The emergence of rookie standout Derwin James and linebacker Jatavis Brown has the Chargers defence playing at an all-time high.

The offence led by gunslinger Philip Rivers is as potent as ever. Rivers has the best receiving core he has ever had since being drafted by the Chargers. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Tyrell Williams to name a few.

As well the emergence of future Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates. This season could be one of Rivers best years yet, and hopefully more to come.

The difference is the running game, their Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon is out with an injury and are relying on Austin Ekeler to be the guy.

Ekeler has shown in the past that he can come in and produce well in both the running and passing game. Now can he be the difference maker like Gordon has in the past?

This game will be a marvellous game to watch, and Joey Bosa will be fun to watch. Can he limit the success that the Steelers offence has had in the past, lets hope for Los Angeles sake it does?.

Potential Upset Of The Week - Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins

Josh Allen has looked impressive at times this season, last week they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars by running the ball himself for 99 yards.

If Allen can replicate the passing and running game he produced against the Jaguars, he will have a field day with the Miami Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins are on a two-game losing streak and playing the second best defence in the league.

Ryan Tannehill offence has not looked any better than the Bills offence has looked all season. Kenyon Drake, Kenny Stills has looked lost out at times, and the Bills front four of Jerry Hughes, Star Louetiti, Kyle Williams, and Lorenzo Alexander will be making it a nightmare pocket for Ryan Tannehill.

The Buffalo Bills will have to rely more on LeSean McCoy to run the ball than Josh Allen, but the spunk and charisma that Allen has shown in his games is refreshing for a franchise that has been looking for that quarterback since Jim Kelly.

The emergence of wide receivers like Robert Foster, Zay Jones, and Isiah Mackenzie have led to Kelvin Benjamin getting fewer reps on the field.

These young receivers have the speed to get open but must be aware of ball hawk cornerback Xavien Howard.

This will be a close game. I think Josh Allen takes the Bills down the field in the fourth quarter and the man called Money Hauschka will kick the game-winning field goal.

Fantasy Football Starters

The Seattle Seahawks haven't had a real tight end since the likes of Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson, this week, I have a sleeper in Ed Dickson who has two touchdowns this season.

Even though Nick Vannett has been the starter look for Dickson get extended time in the red zone where he has had the two touchdowns. Look for him to get one at least against the 49ers, maybe even two.

RB Philip Lindsay, Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals

QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars

TE Evan Engram, New York Giants vs Chicago Bears

Sleeper Ed Dickson TE, Seattle Seahawks vs San Fransisco 49ers

Fantasy Football Bench

James White might be the middle child no one cares about this week, and his week has the older child Sony Michel who will get the majority of the reps on the field.

The question lies in how many reps does the youngest child Rex Burkhead get in the game. If Burkhead is in a healthy amount of reps, it will go into the reps that White would have for the New England Patriots.